MORE THAN �600 was raised for Devon Air Ambulance at the funeral of Sidmouth War Memorial Club s assistant steward who died a fortnight ago.

MORE THAN �600 was raised for Devon Air Ambulance at the funeral of Sidmouth War Memorial Club's assistant steward who died a fortnight ago.

Lynnette Helmer, landlady at the Black Horse, where Keith, 49, was a regular, said: "There were so many people at the crematorium that the back and isles were full and there were about 50 people left standing outside, so they put the service on speaker for them."

Sidmouth man Keith collapsed at the War Memorial Club with a massive coronary and died in hospital three days after being flown to hospital by air ambulance.

There were no flowers at his funeral at St Peter's Chapel, Exeter Crematorium, last Monday, March 2, but donations to DAA amounted to �602.59.

A wake for Keith, who was single and lived with his mother Myrtle in Brewery Lane, was held at the Black Horse which did a prize draw, selling tickets through the day. Bare Knuckle Blues, a local band, played a benefit for Keith and the draw took place in the evening, raising �504.

Lynnette said: "We at the Black Horse would like to thank everyone who donated prizes for the draw or helped in any way to give Keith the send-off he deserved.

"A further sum in contributions has been added and the total collected at the moment stands at �1,380.59."

The Black Horse owners have donated a crystal rose bowl, called the Keith Jordan Memorial Trophy, which will be played for at a darts competition at the pub on Tuesday, March 31.

"Anyone is welcome to come along and the entrance fee is �1.00," said Lynnette. "There will be another draw, for which donations for prizes will be welcome, and we hope to raise another decent amount for the Air Ambulance to take the total over �1,500," she said.